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Want to Increase or Decrease Your Risk of Cancer? We Have Answers!

July 30, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

The big C – it’s a word no one wants to hear and everyone is trying to avoid. People seem to fall into two categories; those who believe there is nothing they can do about it and those who think that everything causes cancer and if they try hard, they will avoid it.

The truth is somewhere in the middle. No matter how healthy a diet you eat, no matter how much exercise you get, sometimes your genes determine whether or not you will get cancer. This doesn’t mean that you should throw up your hands and say “To hell with it”, however. There are plenty of things you can do to try to prevent cancer.

Today, we are going to take a look at the top things that either increase your risk of developing cancer or decrease that risk.

While you can’t do anything about your genes, there are other things that are completely within your control.

Want to Increase Your Risk? Keep Eating or Doing the Following:

Drinking alcohol daily (more than 1 drink) or binge drinking on weekends
Adding salt to everything or eating lots of salty foods such as pickles
Eating red meat more than twice a week
Continue to smoke
Being a couch potato
Drinking tap water (fluoride is not the problem, it’s the other chemicals in your tap water which are the problem)
Grilling meat until it’s black
Avoiding the salad bar
Getting all your clothing dry cleaned
Ditching the sunscreen for coconut oil or wearing none at all
Avoiding those checkups or ignoring warning signs such as pain
Gaining weight every year

While some of the above are no brainers that you’ve heard a million times before, some might be a little more shocking. We have provided scientific links to each one of these for more information.

By the way, let’s not forget that it’s the dose that makes the poison. Even water can kill you if you drink too much. So if you decide to skip the gym on the weekend of your birthday to be a couch potato, that’s fine. However, if you decided to continue smoking because it’s just too hard to quit, you should prepare yourself for some serious hurt later on in life.

Want to Lower Your Cancer Risk? Keep Doing or Start Doing the Following:

Eat more fruits and veggies. Lots more. Especially dark, lefty greens (like spinach) and colorful produce like red cabbage and yellow bell peppers.
Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day or less.
Limit red meat to no more 500 grams a week. Chicken and fish are fine.
Filter your tap water and take a bottle with you.
Stop topping off your gas tank. When it clicks off, leave it!
Drink several cups (3 to 5) of Joe every day unless your doctor has told you not to.
Drink plenty of liquids to flush out cancer causing agents in the body
Enjoy one or two Brazil nuts each day (but no more than 2)
Get 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
Wear sunscreen. Don’t forget a hat.
Get 1200 mgs of calcium each day, but not more than that.
Maintain a stable weight.
Avoid trans fats, such as margarine, shortening, and snack foods. Use more plant based oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, and butter.

Keep in mind that there are really no benefits in eating organic. Both use pesticides that need to be washed off before consumption. GMO’s have still not been shown to cause cancer or any other health problems.

Salad and Death: A Very Real Possibility

July 25, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

It’s summertime! Is there anything more refreshing for lunch or dinner than a big, cool salad? It’s a staple at our house, especially when it’s hot as the dickens outside, however, you really need to be careful with that summer salad, and we don’t mean choosing a low-fat dressing.

Most people think food poisoning only happens with meat or eggs, but this isn’t the case. In fact, in early July of 2016, two people have actually died and more than 151 became very ill after eating a salad that had E. coli 0157. Health authorities are trying to track down the actual source , but at this time they know that at least several people ate mixed green salads that contained rocket leaves (sometimes called arugula). Researchers believe that, after using whole genome sequencing, that the bacteria appears to be an imported strain, more commonly found in the Mediterranean areas.

Isn’t E.Coli From Meat?

Many people think that E. coli comes from meat or, to be more specific, meat that is contaminated with poop after the animal has been slaughtered. While this is true, E. coli is also found in soil where animals (and people) defecate. It can also be passed on from human hands to all kinds of foods.

coli can get on the udder of a cow and be transferred to the milk. This is why it is inadvisable to drink raw milk. Unfortunately, even if cows are separated from crops, the runoff from rain can drain into fields. Leafy greens, such as rocket leaves, spinach, and all types of lettuce, are particularly vulnerable.

Both human and animal poop can pollute water sources as well. Although most public water systems use some type of method to kill E. coli, private wells and rural water supplies have been known to be contaminated.

There are many different strains of E.Coli, some only causing diarrhea, but some are powerful toxins which damage the lining of the small intestine and kidney’s. This particular strain, 0157, is one of the most dangerous.

Is This Happening Only in England?

No, this also happens in the US. One of the more recent cases you might have heard about was in late 2015, when at least 45 people were infected after eating at Chipotle restaurants. More than 16 people were hospitalized. The root cause was undetermined, but affected locations were closed, all food thrown out, and restaurants sanitized.

Another case occurred in late 2013 when a company that made prepared chicken salad recalled their products after 26 people became infected with E.coli. While chicken is rarely contaminated, the source of this outbreak was also undetermined.

Should I Stop Eating Salads for Awhile?

Although you probably eat more salads during the summer, there really is no need to stop eating them as contamination can occur at any time of the year.

To avoid becoming infected, follow these steps:

Wash your hands frequently, including after using the toilet, before handling and eating food, after touching animals, or after working in the garden.
Wash off loose soil (if there is any) before you put vegetables or salads in the refrigerator.
Carefully wash all fruits and veggies, especially those that will be eaten raw.
Store and prepare unwashed vegetables away from other foods.
Do not prepare raw vegetables with the same utensils that were used for raw meat.
If you have been sick, do not prepare food for anyone until you have been without symptoms for 48 hours.
Consider using a dip method for cleaning hard to clean vegetables, such as lettuce or Swiss chard, rather than rely on hand washing.
If you buy bagged salads, always check the expiration date.
Even if vegetables or prepackaged salads claim to be “washed” or “ready to eat”, you should wash them again to be certain.
Keep all greens and vegetables refrigerated.
Regularly rinse cutting boards with bleach and hot water.

You might also want to keep track of recalls or news regarding possible E.coli or salmonella outbreaks. For example, if spinach has been suspected at the heart of an outbreak, you might want to throw out any spinach in the fridge and wait a few weeks before buying more. Better safe than sick or dead!

This One “Healthy” Food Can Cause Brain Damage and Cancer

July 10, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

Many people believe that exchanging tofu and soy for meat, eggs, and milk is a much healthier decision, when the truth is that nothing could be further from the truth.

Processed soy and today’s high tech methods to do so, might remove the toxins and anti-nutrients that are naturally present in soy, but it also leaves behind carcinogenic residue which is caused by high temperatures, high pressure, and petroleum solvent “baths”.

The worst type of soy are the types that American’s love the best; soy protein isolate and hydrolyzed plant protein. These types of highly processed soy contain a compound called phytates, which block the absorption of minerals and contain trypsin inhibitors that block proper digestion.

How Bad Is It?

There have been many health problems linked to high soy diet including:

Thyroid issues
Premature puberty and developmental problems in children
Brain damage and cognitive issues later in life
Reproductive problems
Soy Allergies
Certain types of cancer

While some studies have shown that soy can lower cholesterol levels, there have also been studies showing that it does the exact opposite. There is currently a petition before the FDA, asking them to reevaluate the evidence and remove the “soy prevents heart disease” claim that was approved in 1999.

Soy mimics the hormone estrogen, which can help women going through menopause as it can relieve symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, but for infants and young children, this is not something desirable.

Infants have bodies that are still under development. This makes them more vulnerable to hormones such as estrogen. Don’t feed your child soy based formulas. Soy naturally contains a toxin called antinutrient. This is an inhibitor that blocks the body from making a digestive enzyme as well as stopping the body from absorbing many minerals, such as calcium, from their meal. You could be depriving your baby of much needed nutrients when you feed them soy products or soy based formulas.

Is There a Safe Type of Soy?

Yes, there is! Fermented soy products reduce the antinutrient and phytic acid levels to a minimum while increasing the beneficial compounds, such as Probiotics, which improve the digestion process.

Fermented soy also reduces the isoflavones, which are the estrogen mimicking part of soy, to the point where they no longer influence the body.

If you love soy, but want to be healthy, the following types of soy are all healthy options you can enjoy as much as you like:

Miso – This is a fermented soybean paste that has a buttery texture to it and is often the base of miso soup.
Tempeh – This fermented soy product has a firm texture and a nutty, mushroom like flavor that most people love.
Natto – Another fermented soybean product that is sticky and has a very strong cheese flavor. It is loaded with vitamin K2 and has tons of healthy bacteria that are good for the digestive system
Soy Sauce – Look for traditionally made soy sauce, which is made from fermented soy, salt, and enzymes.

So while those soy burgers and soy cheese sound like a healthy option, they really aren’t.

The basics of healthy eating haven’t changed much over the years. Eating unprocessed, fresh, natural, and fermented foods are always your best option.

There is Only One Way to Prevent Cancer and Disease (It’s Right Under Your Nose)

June 29, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

Everyone wants to avoid the big C, cancer, at all costs, but do those anti-cancer diets, fruits, or other “natural” substances really work? Is there really anything you can do to avoid cancer?

The answer is yes….and no.

NO – You cannot cure or prevent cancer by avoiding certain foods such as GMO’s, processed foods, sugar, or any other food.
NO- There is no “miracle cure” or preventative measure that Big Pharma, doctors, or anyone else is holding back because they can’t make money on it.
YES – There is only one sure fire way to help prevent cancer, but even this is no guarantee. It’s a great bet, but nothing in this life is guaranteed 100%.

Of course, there are some things that are well known for being a cause for cancer. Things such as cigarette smoke, tobacco products (such as chew), asbestos, certain chemicals, excessive alcohol consumption, coal, estrogen therapy, hepatitis, and radiation. Even use or exposure to these things is not a 100% guarantee that you WILL get cancer, only that your odds are tremendously increased.

In the same way that scientists know that exposure to or consumption of certain substances can greatly increase your risk of developing cancer, other things are known to reduce the risk of cancer. Again, this is not a guarantee that if you follow these guidelines that you will be “cancer proof” , however, it gives you better odds for not developing cancer.

The Truth about GMO’s, Pesticides, Herbicides, and Cancer

Contrary to what you might read on those click bait sites (“GMO’s Known to Cause Multiple Cancers!”) the truth is that, despite being eaten by millions of people for more than 20 years, there has not been one single case of cancer (or any other disease) being caused by these foods. Most people fear them because they don’t understand them. GM crops use fewer pesticides than non-GM crops. Herbicide use is usually increased, but since herbicides focus on certain plant aspects that humans do not have, there is relatively little to affect humans. Of course, this doesn’t mean that we should drink a big glass of herbicides along with our meals, however, there really isn’t anything to fear from the very low levels of herbicides found in conventional foods.

Sugar and Cancer

We bet you have seen at least a dozen articles screaming “Sugar Feeds Cancer Cells”. Scientists know that every single cell in your body relies on sugar to operate normally. Every single cell, including cancer. This isn’t to say that sugar shouldn’t be controlled in your diet. Diets that are high in sugar usually lead to obesity, which increases your risk of cancer.

However, the idea that, if you could somehow remove all processed sugar from your diet, you would never get cancer is completely unfounded.

Other “Cancer Causing” Nonsense

There is not one shred of evidence that you will get cancer from aspartame, your deodorant, or from eating a McDonald’s now and then. Why do many websites claim that these things are cancer causing? It sells. Pure and simple.

Your Best Odds of Cancer Prevention

You don’t need any miracle fruit or eat tons of a certain vegetable to prevent cancer. You simply need to follow this little 4 step plan. Yes, it really is this simple.

Eat Lots of Fruits and Vegetables.

It doesn’t matter if they are conventional or organic, since both use pesticides, the fact remains that a diet high in fruits and vegetables has been proven over and over to help prevent cancer. Fruits and veggies contain carotenoids, vitamin C, lycopene, and antioxidants that keep your immune system functioning properly and protect you from mutating cells, which is the root cause of cancer. By the way, eat the whole fruit or vegetable, not just juice. Getting plenty of fiber is the best way to avoid colon cancer. If you do nothing else, simply adding more produce to your diet will reduce your risk of cancer. True story.

Cut Back on Red Meat and Processed Meat

Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet is NOT the best way to fight cancer. Humans are omnivores that require a certain amount of meat and dairy products in their diets for optimum health. This doesn’t mean, however, that you should go all out Paleo. A diet high in red meat and processed meats, such as hot dogs and bacon, have been shown to increase the risk of cancer. Try going meatless two or more days each week. Make meat a side dish, rather than the main course.

Eat Healthy Fats

Eating fats in moderation are one of the keys to a healthy diet. Avoid trans fats and partially hydrogenated fats or oils. These are well known for increasing the risk of cancer. This means avoiding most fried foods and bakery items, such as donuts and cakes. Make these the occasional treat, not something you eat every week.

Healthy fats are olive oil, avocados, dairy products such as cheese and milk, nuts, and seeds. You should also try to include fish, such as salmon or tuna, in your diet twice each week, as these fish are loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Cook Smart

Remember to wash all produce to remove as much of the pesticide residue as possible. Keep in mind that organic produce also has pesticide residue, so wash them also! Eat raw produce as much as possible and steam the rest, with the exception of tomatoes, which have increased levels of lycopene after cooking. Do not fry under extremely high heat. Do not “blacken” meats, and always store cooking oils in dark colored containers or inside cabinets, away from heat and sunlight. Grill or steam meats and veggies as much as possible.

Yes, it’s that simple.

Of course, there are other tips for avoiding cancer, such as exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation, and trying to maintain a normal weight, but so far as diet goes, if you follow the four steps above, you are way ahead of the cancer game, no doubt about it.

Why don’t you see these simple eating habits being put in bold letters on most woo websites? Because there is no money in it. True story.

Top 10 Calcium Rich Foods Every Woman Needs (Most are Non-Dairy!)

June 24, 2016 by Tammy Robinson Leave a Comment

We know what you are thinking right now; calcium, milk, bones, got it. Hold on a minute! There is a whole lot more to this than meets the eye!

Did you know that you have more calcium in your body than any other mineral? It’s not only vital for strong teeth and bones, but it plays a big role in making muscles work, nerve signaling, and even cardiovascular health!

On average, adults need about 1,000 mg each day. Women over 50 and anyone over 70 needs 1,200 mgs and kids under 18 need 1,300 mgs!

Unfortunately, many people don’t get enough calcium in their diet, especially if they go the vegan route. Most calcium rich foods come from dairy products, such as cheese, milk, and yogurt.

There are plenty of other non-dairy sources, but most people are unaware of them.

Take a look at the top 10 calcium rich foods you should be adding to your diet to avoid serious health problems.

Seeds

You might think that seeds are just a snack, but the truth is that seeds are miniature powerhouses of nutrition. Poppy seeds, for example, have 126 mgs of calcium in one little tablespoon. That’s a big 13% of your RDA in one mouthful! Sesame seeds have about 9% of your RDA for calcium in that same tablespoon. Seeds are an easy way to get calcium and other nutrients, simply by sprinkling a tablespoon over your yogurt, salad, or vegetable dishes.

Fish

Some fish have high levels of calcium because of their tiny, edible bones. Sardines and canned salmon are two of the best non-dairy sources of calcium around. A typical 3.75 ounce can of sardines has 35% of your RDA and just 3 ounces of canned salmon (including the bones) has about 21%. In addition to the calcium, these cold water fish are terrific sources of omega-3s.

Lentils and Beans

Beans might be the “magical fruit” that makes you toot, but they are also loaded with healthy fiber, protein, and calcium! One cup of white beans has about 13% of your RDA, while winged beans, sometimes called Manila beans, have a whopping 24% of your RDA in that same cup. Beans also lower your bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of colon cancer!

Nuts

You don’t have to go nuts over nuts to get the health benefits from them. When speaking of calcium, almonds top the chart, with one ounce (about a handful or 22 almonds) having about 8% of your RDA. Almonds also have fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

Dark Leafy Greens

Not all greens are equal, at least, not calcium wise! However, the ones that we are going to talk about really pack a calcium punch! Kale, spinach, collard greens, and lambs quarters are all pretty high in calcium. One cup of cooked collard greens has about 25% of your calcium needs for the day!

Rhubarb

While this vegetable isn’t as popular as some others due to its sour taste, it is loaded with fiber, calcium, vitamin K, and other vitamins and minerals. One cup of cooked rhubarb has about 87 mgs of calcium. This green and red beauty also contains healthy prebiotic fiber, which means it encourages good digestive health.

Amaranth

This ancient food is a pseudocereal that is a nutrition super star! High in folate and minerals, one cup of cooked amaranth has about 12% of your RDA or 116 mgs. If you can find amaranth leaves, they have even more calcium (about 28%) and are very high in vitamin C and vitamin A.

Tofu

Tofu that has been properly prepared has very high amounts of calcium. This soy based food has a whopping 86% of your RDA in just half a cup! Edamame is a good source of both calcium and folate, with one cup having 100% of your RDA for folate and 10% of your RDA for calcium.

Figs

While most of us wouldn’t think of fruit as containing calcium, figs are the exception to the rule. Dried figs are not only rich in fiber and antioxidants, but they also have more calcium than any other dried fruit. One ounce of dried figs has about 5% of your RDA for calcium. Figs also have potassium and vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting.

Milk

We would be amiss if we left one of the best and cheapest sources of calcium on the planet off of this list. One cup of full fat cow’s milk has about 350 mgs of calcium. One cup of low fat (2%) cow’s milk has about 290 mgs of calcium. Goat’s milk is another great choice! One cup of goat’s milk has about 325 mgs of calcium. Milk is a terrific source of calcium that is easily absorbed by the body and drinking just one cup can give you between 27 and 35% of your RDA for the day.

Look at your average daily diet and decide for yourself if you are getting the calcium your body needs to operate at its peak each and every day!